The world of Italian chambers of trade abroadSince yesterday he has been in Cosenza, to discover a Calabrian economy that continues to record signs of vitality, above all, in exports. For three days this land becomes hub of global economic dialogue. An event inspired by the visionary president of the Cosenza Chamber of Commerce, Klaus Algieri. The local production realities will have the opportunity to confront the delegates of the 86 Italian chambers of trade abroad led by the president of the foreign assignment, Mario Pozza. In 2024, the CCIE network generated 300 thousand business contacts with over 160 thousand companies involved. Assocamere foreign counts over 21 thousand associates, of which 88% are local companies that consider Italy a partner for their business or for investment operations.
Between networking and international cooperation, synergies and benefits for local companies will also flow to Cosenza, as explained by the president of the Association, Pozza: “The 34.But world convention of the Italian Chambers of Commerce abroad (CCIE) represents a unique opportunity to relate to the Calabrian entrepreneurial fabric with the network of the 86 rooms active in 63 countries in the world. We are very grateful to the Cosenza Chamber of Commerce and the President Algieri for having strongly wanted this event to take place here in order to enhance the potential of this territory in the world, which is demonstrating a strong dynamism also on international markets. We are talking about a dynamic and vital Calabria, which has increased – in contrast with the drop recorded in the South and in Italy – exchanges with foreign countries: the exports of goods at current prices grew by 9.4%, reaching 965 million euros. Export has increased above all to non -EU countries (+15.3%), while sales to the United States – which could be affected by the duties announced on April 2 – were in any case risen by 1.5%. The over 500 B2B meetings organized tomorrow among more than 150 local businesses and CCIE representatives are an opportunity to transform these potential into concrete development paths. Structured comparisons to generate targeted connections, built on the basis of the real needs of foreign markets. The goal is not only to offer an opportunity for contact, but activate mechanisms of trust, knowledge and collaboration that can continue well beyond the event “.
The spark, the first fire, the possibility of enhancing local skills and products. The companies will connect with interlocutors who know foreign markets from the inside and who can act as catalysts of new growth trajectories. The convention thus becomes a concrete bridge between Calabria and the world. “The internationalization process of Calabrian SMEs – explains Pozza – inevitably passes through the construction of bridges with foreign economies. Connections that can be generated through the indispensable reference of the Italian business communities rooted in other countries, a presence in local economic contexts that allows to support companies in interpreting and govern the continuous changes of the global scenario. A production system that needs aid to return to running overcoming the obstacles of the shock of American duties, speculations, the increases in raw materials and unsustainable energy costs. The Italian business communities in the world represent an extraordinary relational heritage fundamental to support the internationalization of our companies. The Ccie not only are part of these communities, but amplify their potential: they are an expression of entrepreneurs and professionals who, although operating abroad, maintain a deep bond with Italy and with our production system. This authentic link with local contexts is the true added value for SMEs, in particular for those operating in territories such as Calabria, which show signs of awakening on exports but need structured accompaniment to grow stablely. The work of the CCIE does not limit itself to facilitating exports, but offers companies constant support in international markets, capable of interpreting changes, anticipating evolutions and identifying concrete opportunities. In a global picture marked by external shocks, this type of garrison is more strategic than ever ».
The Istat and influence data of the last twelve months tell a long journey on an harsh ridge with the global crisis that has imposed its bite by modifying the lives and daily paths of families and businesses. Is it sufficient to create the connection between the 86 Italian chambers of trade abroad and the Calabrian companies to lower the arrogance of a miserable between supply and demand of competence and relaunching local productions? «We are true we live more and more in a very complex world and difficult to decipher and predict. It is surprising, however, how companies, especially SMEs, have shown an extraordinary ability to adapt to global dynamics in constant evolution. However, the gap between the skills required by the market and those actually available remains a critical node, and Calabria is no exception. Overcoming this MISMATCH requires a choral action, capable of putting international institutions, businesses and actors on the net. In this scenario, the Italian chambers of trade abroad can take on a strategic role: not only as promoters of exports, but as an antennas of emerging needs in foreign markets, able to transfer precious information to companies and territories to guide the choices. Thanks to the ability to connect Italy to foreign markets, the foreign chamber network contributes to strengthening the territories, making them cohesive and competitive internationally. It is not simply a question of creating matches: it is a matter of building positioning paths, enhancing skills, strengthening the ability of companies to interpret the signals of global markets and transform them into sustainable growth actions “.